Life and soul of the party

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John Prescott is in charge while Tony Blair is on holiday. Our correspondent listens in to an unusual Labour Party meeting

“YOU’RE PROBABLY wondering why I’m dressed as an owl,” said the plump, jovial man dressed as an owl. It was true; they were. This was a most unusual meeting of the National Executive Committee.

“But don’t be alarmed, it’s still me, the same loveable John Prescott, ha-ha.” He blew a paper whistle. There was a sigh of relief around the table. Hands that had been trembling, struggling to hold the brightly coloured balloons that had been issued at the start, were, for a moment, stilled.

“Seriously, now. We’ve got to go out and tell the people that we’re not a